Interlocking mechanism.



PATENTBD JULY 16, 1907 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Suva-Moz A. J. GILL'ESPIE.- INTBRLOGKING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

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.N .ANN

PATENTED JULY 146, 1907.

A. J. GILLBSPIE. INTERLOGKING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

3 SHEETS-fSHBET 2.

:PATENTBB JULY 10, 1007.

A. J. GILLBSPIE.

INTERLOGKING MECHANISM. PrLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 2a, 1905.

a SHEETS-SHEET s.

' UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

ALFRED J. GILLESPIE, OF ROCHESTER,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE U. S. STANDARD'.

VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF- ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

IN TERLOCKN G ME CHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, .1907'.`

Original application filed May 7, 1900, Serial No. 15,772. Dividedand this application filed August 28, 1905. Serial N O. 276,000.

To all 'whom it may concern:

`Be it known that I, ALFRED J. GILLEsPIE, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe andI State of New York,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking' Mechanisms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a ull, clear, and exact description of thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to improvements in interlocking mechanism for controlling or preventing the operation oi a plurality of devices, whereby the devices may be arranged in sets and one or more devices may be operated in each set', or they may bearranged in groups or combinations and onlya given number may be actuated at one time.

The invention is particularlyadapted for use in connection with voting machines of the general :type dislclosed in my prior application led May 7, 1900, and

serially4 numbered 15,772, of which the present is a divisional application, and it consists in certain improvements and combinations` of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and the novel features pointed out particularly in the claims hereunto annexed.

In the drawing: Figure lisa `frontelevation of a'section of' a`voting machine, showing the ballot-indicators or other devices with which the interlocking mechanism embodying my invention coperates. Fig. 2repre's'ents a'sectio'nrfro'mA front'to rear along one of the vertical rowsof indicators, three o'f the indicators being in actuated, and one in normal position. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a section of the rear of the ballot board. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of a ballotindicator, and its spreader; and Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views on the lines 5 5 and 6-6 respectively of v Fig. 3. i l

Similar parts'are designated by the same numerals'.

in the several views.

Interlocking mechanism constructed in accordancel with my invention is capable of use generally in connectionvwith key boards and various other devices employing' a plurality of independently operable parts or devices and in the 'operation oi which it is necessaryfler desirableto so control the devices that only-a given number may bev-in operatedposition at a time,Y or that the'devices may be'divided intosets and operated in groups or. combinations.

The present embodiment of the invention is adapted for operation in connection witha voting machine of the. type shown and"described inmy aforesaid application, wherein 1y indicates` the front plate or ballot board of the machine upon the face of which are afin a suitable mannerV card'or tickets containing the names of the candidates, said board or plate preferably forming part of the casing for containing the operating parts of the machine. plate or support are arranged angle-irons or plates 2,

On the rear'oi this Y one for each horizontal row of ballot-keys or indicating devices, said plates 2 having at their rear downwardly-extending lips or flanges 3 and above these flanges are provided the .perforated guide-plates 4,

cylindrical rods or pins' 5 having the knobs 6 at their outer ends and in rear and near their extreme'ends inclined beveled portions 7 and beneath these, horizontal extensions 8. Secured to the indicators 5 betweenA lthe plates 2 and 4' are flanges or plates 9 having their lower edges received within slots 10 formed inthe upper sides of wedge-shaped spreaders or blocks l1, shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 7, the connection being such that the spreaders l1 move back and forth with the keys or indicators when moved longitudinally in their guides and are permitted to slide laterally upon the anges 9. The spreader-s l1 rest upon the lower horizontal portion of the channels 2 and are locatedA between the forward inclined faces of laterally-sliding blocks or plates 12 arranged in the channels 2, having their forward corners beveledat 13; said wedges or blocks 12 being freelymovable in the channel plates, and the end block of the horizontal row being adapted to abut against, or, if desired, to be connected toa movable block or part 14 operating in suitable guides or flanges l5 on the rear of the plate l.

As usual in machines oi this general type, the indicators devoted to the candidates for the same oflice are arrangedin the same horizontal rows and those devoted to candidates for the same political `party are in the same vertical columns. The wedges or spreaders 11 and the wedge-blocks constitute the interlock- Aing devices between ballot-indicators in the same row, and if a vote is to be permitted-for only one candidate in the row, said blocks 12 are permitted to move longitudinally only the width of one of the spreaders, in the present embodiment this'being permitted by securing the end blockI or plate 14 to the casing by means of a movable stud or pin 16 inserted in apertures in the plates 1 and in the block or stop 14, so that when one indicator is pushed in the end block l2 of the row will abut against the block 14 and no 'other spreader 11 can be moved inward.

As it is desirable to adapt the machine for multicandidate orgroup-voting, so as to permit a certain .predetermined number o f votes to be indicated for candidates for the same oice in the same or different horizontal rows, I provide the end plates or blocks 14 with projections preferably in the form oi rollers 18 around which extends a flexible connector in the form oi a chain 19, said chain also extending around stationary pins, guides or rollers 20 secured to the main rame. When the rows of indicators are connected in this manner, the securing pins 16 in each row grouped are removed from the blocks 14 so that the latter can slide .freely in their guides, and, therefore, while one indicator in each horizontal row thus grouped can be moved into voted 'position` without affecting the interlocking devices in the other rows of indicators, the movement oi a number o indicators or keys in any row or rows equal to the number o rows grouped and no more can be moved to voted position. For instance, if one of the indicators in the upper row of Fig. 2vis moved, the wedge-block 12 will be moved up against its block or plate 14, and if another indicator in the same row is moved to voted position, all oi the wedge-blocks 12 at the leit (Fig. 4) will move a distance equal to the width of the wedge or spreader 11, causing the block 14 to move outward anotherstep and take up some o the slack in the flexible chain or connector 19 sufficiently to move all oi the remaining blocks 14 inward a short distance. If another indicator in the same row is operated, the block 14 will be moved urther one unit of space, operating the chain and the blocks`14 in the other rows, until finally, when the proper number o indicators, say liour, havebeen :Y operated in the upper row, all oi the blocks 14Ain the remaining rows will be moved up against the blocks 12 and prevent the inward movement oi the spreaders in any'oi said remaining rows. Similarly, if one indicator in each row is operated, the blocks 12 will be moved out against blocks 14 and no more indicators can be operated in any row. The slotted or loose connection between the indicators and the spreaders 11 permits the lateral movement of the latter with the wedge-blocks 12 so that the vproper number in any horizontal row or office line may be operated without interference. From Athe above, it will be seen that any or all o the horizontal rows may be grouped, if

desired.

Thus it will be apparent that the invention when applied to a voting machine enables the machine to be readily adapted for either single-candidate or multicandidato or group voting, and the interlocking mechanism is composed of but few parts which are so simple in construction andarrangement that their locking operation is positive and not liable 4to stick or jam.

i As heretofore stated, the interlocking mechanism forming the subject matter oi the present application is not limited in its application, i'or although it -is particularly adapted to the requirements of voting machines, it could be employed in connection with va- ,rious otherdevices wherein the parts to he controlled would be operatively connected with, or other parts substituted for the ballot-indicators or keys shown, and 'the term ballot-indicators as employed in this specification and claims is intended to cover an equivaient or corresponding element.

#I claim as my invention:

1,"In interlocking mechanism, the combination with a support, a plurality of rows of movable 4indicators thereon,

spreader-s carried by the indicators when operated to actuated position and permitted a movement independent thereof, of wedge-blocks operated by the spreaders, and u flexible connection betweenthe end blocks in the rows for .permitting the operation of a limited number inv all ofthe 2; In interlocking mechanism, the combination with o. support, a plurality of rows of indicators thereon movable into and out of actuated position, spreaders carried by the indicators when operated to actuated position and permitted a movement independent thereof, of wedge-blocks operated by the spreaders, a flexible connection with which the end wedge-blocks of each row cooperate, and means for adjusting the connection to regulate the number of indicatorsoperablc in all of the rows.

3. In interlocking mechanism, the combination witlin support, :i plurality of rows of indicators movable into and out of actuated position, spreader-s carried by the indicators when operated to actuated position and permitted a movement independent thereof, of wedge-blocks operated by' the spreaders, blocks at the end of the rows of wedgeblocks having projections thereon, stationary projections on the support, and a flexible connector' extending around the projections -on the support and blocks adapted to limit the number capable of operation in all of :the rows.

4. In interlocking mechanism, the combination with a plurality of. rows of indicators, movable wedge-blocks operated by the movement of one or more indicators, of end blocks foreach row operated progressively by the Awedge blocks therein, and va flexibleI connector cooperating with thc end blocks and with stationary projections, and means for adjusting the connector to limit the number ot blocks operable in all the rows. i

5. lu interlocking mechanism, the combination with a plurality of rows of indicators, movable wedge blocks ,operated by the movement of one or more indicators, of end blocks for each row operated progressively by the wedgeblocks therein and having projections thereon, means for securing the end blocks, projections between the rows, and a Aflexible connector-extending around the stationary projection and those on tho end blocks, and means for securing the connector and thereby` limiting the number of rows of indlcatorsthat inter-locked.

6. In interlocking mechanism, a plurality of series of lndicators, interlocking devices for each series, in combination with a movable part for each series of interlocking devices and cooperating therewith, a iiexible chain controlling said movable parts, and means for fixing the said .chain or cable between each of the movable parts, whereby the number o'ilindica'tors capable of actuation collectively in a 'given number of series may be limited.

7. In interlocking mechanism, ,the combination with a plurality of series or rows of indicators, independent in.- terlocklng devices between the indicators of each series, a series of stops, vone for each series ofindicators, and adapted'to cooperate with thcintcrlocking devices thereof, of 'a' exible connector between the stops for transmitting motion from one to the others and'independently of the series interlocking devices,

8. In interlocking mechanism, the combination with a plurality-off series or rows of indicators, independent interlocking devices between-the indicators of each series, a series of stops one for each series of indicators and adapted to copcrate with the interlocking devices thereof, of a flexible connector between the stops for transmitting motion from one to the others and independently of the series interlocking devices,. and means for securing the ilexible connector `between the series of indicators.

i). In interlocking mechanism, the combination with :i plurality of series or rows of indicators and interlocking devices between the indicators in the same series or row permitting the free operation of. one indicator therein, of 'i a movable looped flexible connector with which the ,inter locking devices of the row or series separately coperate after the operation of one indicatorin a series, and thereby limit the number of individual lindicators 'movable in all the series or rows.

10. In interlocking mechanism, the combination `with 'a plurality of series of' indicators and interlocking devices betweenA the indicators-in each series, of a movable stop `ior each series with which said interlocking devices coperate, a flexible connector, guides for the connector arranged between tlie movable stopsand means for securing tlie exible connector between the movable stops, thereby forming the series into groups.

11. In interlocking mechanism, tlic combination with a plurality of series of indicators and interlocking,r devices between the indicators in each series embodyingr movable blocks, and stops at the ends of each series. cach havingr a projection thereon, of guides or pins arranged between the seriesA of stops, a flexible connector, such as a chain. exl tending alternately around the guides and projections on the stops, and means for securingr the connector between thc stops.

12. The combination of a plurality of series of indi- Gators, of independent interlocking devices for each series, the endwise moving Stops 14 having tlie rollers thereon,l the intermediate rollers 20 mountedon the frame, the flexible chain mounted on said rollers, and the removable pins 1G adapted to coiiperate with the chain between the stops.

14. The combination of a plurality of indicating devices arranged in rows. interlocking devices adapted to limit tbe number of indicating devices operable in each row to any number less than the whole, and a tiexble strip to serve as a stop for a plurality of rows of interlocking devices.

ALFRED J. GlLLESPIE.

Witnesses C. A. SALESBURG, J. Il. GILLusPIn. 

